Rudra, Rudras the Gods of Hinduism

by Jayaram V

Literally speaking, Rudra means the howler or the one who is
red in color. The Rudras are often identified with Maruts, the Vedic
gods of storms and tempests. They are said to be eleven in number
and born to Kashyapa and Aditi. They are associated with Lord Siva,
as his followers and part of His retinue (siva ganas). Siva, the
Destroyer, is also known as Rudra in the Vedas. Rudra is the Lord
of the Rudras. Also described as Rudra Siva, He is red in color,
fierce in nature and described in the Vedas as the Prince of the
Rudras.

In the body Rudras represent the vital breaths, while Rudra represents
the Self (atma). They are mentioned with some variations in their
names, qualities and appearance both in the epics and the Puranas,
which described them as gods of both malevolent and benevolent nature,
who wear tiger skin, matted hair and garland of snakes around their
necks. In the Bhagavadgita,

The Rudras and Maruts are gods of commonality, who share among
themselves some common features and distinctions. The Rudras are
fierce by Nature, while the Maruts are gentler and benevolent. The
Vedic hymns show an attitude of both reverence and fear towards
Rudra, whom they describe as "strong, most bounteous, excellently
wise," who is "the lord of sacrifice, hymns and balmy
medicines," and pray to him for joy, health and strength.

They beseech, Aditi, the Mother Goddess, Mitra, Varuna and Soma
to make more amenable and benevolent as he was believed to be the
cause of diseases and death. The seeds of rudraksha, meaning rudra
eyed, is derived from rudra. They are used as prayer beads in meditations
and religious chanting and chains of rudrakshas are also worn by
devout Hindus around their necks for the purification of the mind
and body.

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